How to Cook Pasta in the Microwave for an Easy Meal

You’re short on time. You’re hungry. You need pasta! You contemplate cranking up the stove, wrangling a clean pot, boiling water, cooking and draining the noodles, and getting everything together, but wouldn't it be great to learn how to cook pasta in the microwave?

Don't force your pasta cravings to wait. While it’s texturally not the ideal way, pasta certainly can be cooked in the microwave. All you need is a big microwave-safe container or bowl, tap water, some salt, and whatever type of pasta you like. Here’s how and how long to microwave pasta for an easy meal. 

How to Cook Pasta in the Microwave 

To get started, select a microwave-safe container big enough for the amount of pasta you want to cook, and add water at least 2 inches above the pasta. Allow extra space at the top of the bowl to prevent overflow, too. Pasta grows as it cooks, so you want plenty of room to accommodate the cooked pasta. Then, follow these steps:

1.  Put the pasta of your choice in the bowl. 
2. Add tap water, covering pasta by at least 2 inches. Add a generous pinch of salt and stir.
3. Microwave the pasta on full power for the amount of time specified on the box, plus 2 minutes.
4. Pause cooking halfway through to stir the pasta and ensure it doesn’t stick. If the pasta seems sticky, continue to pause every 1 to 2 minutes and stir.
5. When time is up, remove a noodle, rinse with tap water, and test for doneness. If the pasta needs more time, continue cooking in 30-second intervals. 
6. When the pasta is fully cooked, use a colander to drain it in the sink.

How Long to Cook Pasta in the Microwave 

Like the boiling method, microwaving pasta requires different cooking times for different shapes. Thinner noodles cook faster but risk overcooking and becoming mushy. If you’re in a hurry, angel hair is a safe bet, but check and stir the pasta every 30 seconds to ensure a nice cook. Keep in mind that the power of your microwave impacts cooking time, too.

Most pasta can be microwaved according to the cooking time on the box plus an extra minute or two. For example, spaghetti that’s recommended to cook for 9 to 11 minutes on the stove takes 11 to 13 minutes in the microwave. Penne or rotini that has an 11- to 13-minute cook time takes 15 minutes or slightly longer. 

Fresh pasta—like fresh-cut tagliatelle, ravioli, or tortellini—takes just minutes to heat in the microwave. You can cook them in water and drain, or just toss them with your preferred sauce, add a splash of water (start with about ¼ cup), and then microwave in 1-minute intervals. 

Cooking Microwave-Ready Pasta

If you’re already in the habit of microwaving pasta, you may want to stock your pantry with pasta designed for the microwave. And yes, that goes beyond canned spaghetti and microwaveable mac and cheese. 

Barilla’s Ready Pasta is par-cooked and then safely sealed in a shelf-stable bag. You can microwave it in the vented pouch for just 60 seconds and then toss it with whatever sauce or toppings you desire. 

How to Par-Cook Pasta

You can also par-cook your own pasta to prepare quick microwaveable pasta to use later in a pinch. Here's how:

1. Boil pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions.
2. Rinse to stop the cooking process, and then coat the pasta lightly in olive oil.
3. Freeze par-cooked pasta for 1 hour on a baking sheet (to keep noodles from sticking together) and then store it in an air-tight food storage container for up to 3 months.
4. When reheating, add an ice cube to create some steam and add freshness to your noodles.